Role of Macrophytes in Improving Water Quality of an Aquatic Eco-System

Role of Macrophytes in improving water quality of an aquatic eco-system.

SANGEETA DHOTE Research Scholar Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal E. mail [email protected] 91 0755-2485770 DR. SAVITA DIXIT Head of the Department, Department of Chemistry, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, BhopalE. mail , 91 755-2670875

ABSTRACT: Macrophytes plays important role in balancing Lake Ecosystem. They have capacity to improve the water quality by absorbing nutrients, with their effective root system. At the same time death & decay of the macrophytes increases nutrient concentration, this leads to eutrophication. A rational setup between these two simultaneous activities is required to maintain the water quality of an aquatic ecosystem. The objective of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of different macrophytic species (Bio-filters) in reducing the nutrient content of the water i.e. to reduce the pollution level of water. The paper is the outcome of ex–situ experiments conducted on samples collected from Shahpura Lake, Bhopal. Two macrophyteic Species Eicchornia crassipes & Hydrilla verticillata were selected for ex-situ study. Both the plant species indicates that macrophytes are capable in improving water quality by reducing nutrient concentration. @ JASEM

Macrophytes are the common features of an aquatic for attachment for denitrifying bacteria then emergent ecosystem. Accumulation of nutrients in an aquatic macrophytes (Weisner et al. 1994). ecosystem leads to eutrophication resulting into In India, all most all the water resources are occupied massive growth of the macrophytes and weeds. Main with various types of macrophytes viz. rooted cause of nutrient accumulation is rapid urbanization shoreline, free floating and submerged etc, which are and anthropogenic pressure. Storm water runoff and an integral part of the ecosystem and acts as bio- discharge of sewage into the lakes are two common filters. As we know conventional treatment process is ways that various nutrients enter the aquatic eco- very costly with high operational and maintenances system, resulting into the death of those systems cost therefore efforts are for the use of natural (Sudhira & Kumar 2000). The washing of large devices, which can be used as an eco-friendly and amount of clothes by dhobis, laundry workers, and effective source of treatment. continued entry of domestic sewage in some area The need of the study is because of the deterioration death & decay of macrophytes are posing pollution of water quality of Shahapura Lake day by day. problems. Of all the water quality issues regarding Accumulation of residential waste, toxic chemicals lakes everywhere, eutrophication is of great concern. and sediments are very common (Suchi Tiwari, Eutrophication of a water body signifies the aging of 2005). Due to excessive pollution load massive a lake. It is caused by the accumulation of nutrients, growth of macrophytes are commonly seen. sediments, silt and organic matter in the lake from the Commonly found macrophytes are Eichhornia surrounding watershed. crassipes., Hydrilla verticillata. & Phragmities sp. Macrophytic vegetation plays an important role in The purpose of the study is to utilize these maintaining the ecosystem of a lake. Various types of macrophytes as bio-filters & to observe efficiency of macrophytes emergent, free floating, submerged are various macrophytes to remove pollutants available generally observed in an aquatic ecosystem. Free- in lake. floating macrophytes leaves & roots are floating; roots are not attached in sediment. Eichhornia MATERIALS AND METHODS crassipes is free floating aquatic plant in which roots The present study was conducted in water of play important role in removing nutrients (Reed crites Shahapura Lake (Mansarover Lake) of Bhopal city. and Middle brooks 1995). It has tremendous capacity The Lake is situated in the center of Bhopal city, the of absorbing nutrients and other substances from the state capital of Madhya Pradesh India (latitude water (Boyed, 1970) and hence brings the pollution 23012’00’’E and longitude 77025’30’’N). The lake is load down. It is found to be most effective in removal a shallow aquatic ecosystem mostly muddy due to of BOD, COD, nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, accumulation of silt. The main inlet joins at northern suspended solids, phenols, pesticides, heavy metals end, through which maximum sewage inflows into etc from waste water (Gupta 1982). the lake. In Hydrilla verticillata (submerged macrophyte) the Two Ex-situ studies were also conducted by taking whole plant plays an important role in absorbing two Macrophytes Eicchornia Crassipes & Hydrilla nutrients. Submerged plants grow well in oxygenated verticillata. For observing the rate of nutrient uptake water and therefore cannot be used in treating water container (approx. 5.0 liters) is required. Add wastewater high in the BOD. They have more area 2.0 liters of raw water from inlet and introduce 100.0 grams of Eicchornia crassipes. Observe initial * Corresponding author: Sangeeta Dhote

Role of Macrophytes in improving water quality of an aquatic eco-system. 134 concentration of nutrients in raw inlet sample. Collect Similar experiment was also conducted by taking the samples at regular intervals of one week and macrophytes Hydrilla Verticillata (Submerged observe nutrient concentration. macrophytes) as a bio-filter. Samples at regular interval were collected from ex- situ experiment set-ups.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

Fig.1 Percentage Reducton In Various Parameters Using Hydrilla Verticillata

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 pH Turbidity Conducvity TDS TSS BOD COD Nitrate Phosphate Sodium Potassium Total Nitrogen

A. Ex-Situ Experiment for nutrient uptake by Hydrilla verticillata

The nutrient rich water i.e. raw sewage was taken as domestic wastewater for luxuriant growth. There is a liquid media for experiment. Hydrilla verticillata great reduction in nitrate (33.4 %). BOD & COD shows affection towards phosphate, nitrate, sodium both reduces by (37.5 %). Other parameters like pH, and potassium ions in large amounts. The aquatic TDS, TSS etc also reduces by using Hydriila plants absorb the major plant nutrients like nitrogen verticillata. The actual reduction in percentage we and phosphorus that is also major pollutants of the can see in Fig. 1

Fig.2 Per centage Reducton I n Var i ous Par ameter s Usi ng Ei chhor ni a cr assipes

0 pH Tur bi di ty Conducvi ty TDS TSS BOD COD Ni tr ate Phosphate Sodi um Potassi um Total Ni tr ogen

B. Ex-Situ Experiment for nutrient uptake by Eichhornia Crassipes.

Eichhornia Crassipes is very common macrophytes to reduce conductivity by (38.88 %), turbidity by of Indian wetland. It is a good bio-filter. It is efficient

* Corresponding author: Sangeeta Dhote

Role of Macrophytes in improving water quality of an aquatic eco-system. 135

(25%), TSS by (50%). The detailed percentage Oki, Y. (1992). Effect of aquatic weeds on nutrient reduction we can see in Fig.2. removal from domestic sewage. Proc. of the 1st Eichhornia Crassipes (Water Hyacinth) regarded as International Weed Control Congress 2:365- world’s worst weeds (Abbasi and Nipaney, 1991) 371. High Productivity and resilience of the weed make them ideal macrophytes for wastewater treatment. Reed Crities (1995). Natural systems for waste management and treatment, 2nd edition Chapter 5 .Mcgraw Hills Publications. CONCLUSION The self-purification of wetlands can be largely Seidal, K (1976). Macrophytes and water attributed to the macrophytic vegetation. This ability purification. P.109-121. of macrophyte to absorb nutrient in large quantities Sudhira, H. S.; Kumar, V. S. Monitoring of lake can be utilized for wastewater treatment. water quality in Mysore city, proceedings of Eichhornia Crassipes is efficient in reducing COD, Lake 2000. International symposium on TSS, Nitrate, and Phosphate. Dunigan,et al; 1967, restoration of lakes and wetlands, 27 – 29 Nov. Schultze, 1966 also reported same type of findings 2000, CSIC Auditorium, Indian Institute of i.e. water hyacinth reduces quantities of suspended Science, Bangalore, (2000), 1–10. particles, algae, dissolved impurities, nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, BOD,COD turbidity Suchi Tiwari,(2005), Nutrient Overloading of a organic carbon etc. Freshwater Lake in Bhopal, India, Electronic Hydrilla Verticillata can be used as a better bio-filter Green Journal ISSN: 1076-7975. for phosphorus. There is great reduction in TSS (60%), BOD & COD reduces by 37.5%, nitrate Russel, A. (1987) Guiness book of world records. Bantam Books, New York. 105. reduces by 33.41%, and phosphate reduces by 46.01 %. Weisner et. al.1994 observed that hydrilla grow USEPA. 1998 Design manual: Constructed wetland well in oxygenated water and therefore cannot be and aquatic plant system for municipal used in treating wastewater high in the BOD. High wastewater treatment EPA/625/1-88/022. oxygen concentration also create favorable conditions for the mineralization of organic matter and thus help Western Consortium for Public Health (WCPH). in reduction if the BOD. EOA, Inc.1996.Total Resources Recovery For non-point source of pollution, the root zone Project, Final Report. City of San Diego Water method of wastewater treatment is most suitable. The Utilities Department. technology is cost effective, maintenance free, self- Wolverton B .C. and M. M. McKown. 1976. Water sustained and Eco-friendly. hyacinth for removal of phenols from polluted waters. Aquat. Bot. 30: 29-37. REFERENCES Abbasi; Nipaney, (1991), “World’s worst weed – Wolverton B .C. and R. C. McDonald. 1977. control and utilization” International/book Wastewater treatment utilizing water hyacinths Distributor, Dehradun 226. (Eichhornea crassipes) (Mart) soins. p. 205- 208.In Treatment and Disposal of Industrial APHA AWWA (1999) Standard Methods for Wastewater and Residues. Proceeding of the Analysis of Water and Wastewater 19th edition National Conference on Treatment and Disposal 1999. of Industrial Wastewater s and Residue, Hauston, TX. Boyd, C.E. (1970) vascular aquatic plants for mineral nutrient removal from polluted waters. Wolverton B .C.;R. C. McDonald. 1979b. Upgrading Econ.Bot.24: 95-103. facultative wastewater lagoons with vascular aquatic plants. J. Water Pollut. Control Fed. Cornwell, D.A., J.Zoltek, Jr., C.D.Patrinely, 51:305-313. T.S.Furman ; J.I.Kim. 1977. Nutrient removal by water hyacinths. J. Water pollut. Control Wooten, J. W. and J. D. Dodd. 1976. Growth of Fed.49: 57-65. water hyacinth in treated sewage effluent. Econ. Bot. 30: 29-37 Gupta G.C. (1982) Use of water hyacinth in wastewater treatment. Journal of Environ. Weisner, S. E.;B, Eriksson.; P. G., Graneli, W.; Health 43 (2) 80-82. Leonardson, L.(1994) Influence of macrophytes on nitrogen removal in wetlands. Ambio. 23,(6),363-66.

* Corresponding author: Sangeeta Dhote